Golfsmith Opens “Playground” for Raleigh Golfers and Tennis Players

Fore! Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOLF) is unveiling the largest addition to its 74-store chain: a 60,000-square foot playground for Raleigh-area golfers and tennis enthusiasts. The store features an interactive 9-bay, indoor driving range complete with state-of-the-art launch monitors as well as an indoor tennis court and dedicated racquet demo areas.

The new store, located in the previous Best Buy location at 6254 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, also includes a large putting green and Golfsmith’s first-ever dedicated chipping and pitching area with a real sand bunker. The Golfsmith experience also features a huge selection of name-brand equipment including Adidas®, Callaway®, Cleveland®, Cobra®, Head/Penn®, Nike®, PING®, TaylorMade®, Wilson®, and many more. Additionally, golf lessons are offered in the store by Golfsmith’s exclusive lesson partner, GolfTEC, the nation’s #1 golf instruction provider.

“Our new store raises the bar on activity-based retail and gives our guests an entertaining and educational experience,” said Jim Thompson, president and chief executive officer of Golfsmith. “We are confident that golfers and tennis players will continue to appreciate the difference in Golfsmith's guest services, specialty retail offerings and activity-based stores that allow our guests the ability to try out the latest golf and tennis gear in a comfortable and fun environment.”

Grand Opening Festivities

Golfsmith is celebrating the grand opening of the store by offering guests $25,000 worth of prizes including $25 cash cards, free rounds of golf, drivers, bags, balls, racquets and much more offered on Friday and Saturday of the official opening. Guests will also have a chance to register for a 30-minute private lesson with world-renowned golf teacher Hank Haney during a free clinic to be held at the Golfsmith store on December 1.

As part of the grand opening, Golfsmith also is hosting a “longest drive” competition in its indoor driving range on Friday, November 23rd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Golfers of all ages and skill levels are eligible to participate. The contest is part of an effort that allows guests to donate to The V Foundation, a Triangle area-based organization dedicated to saving lives by helping find a cure for cancer.

The Raleigh store will feature the full complement of Golfsmith’s interactive retail experience:
New Indoor Driving Range – The indoor driving range provides extended ball flight that lets golfers test the latest golf club models. It includes nine hitting bays that incorporate the latest launch monitor technology and let golfers evaluate their swings on large monitors, two dedicated custom-fitting simulators and a chipping and pitching area that includes a real sand bunker.
New Indoor Tennis Court – The indoor tennis court provides an opportunity for tennis enthusiasts to test the latest tennis equipment in a comfortable indoor setting. The store also includes two tennis demo areas, including a half-court and demo hitting wall.
Certified PGA Instruction – Golfsmith’s partnership with GolfTEC lets customers take advantage of in-store PGA teaching professionals who provide coaching and advanced instruction using the same kind of biofeedback devices, video and swing analysis technology used by touring pros.
Custom Fitting Technology – Golfsmith’s professional in-store staff helps golfers get the most enjoyment out of the game by providing complimentary precision club-fitting that matches golfers to the golf clubs that best fit their individual golf swings.
Golf and Tennis Apparel – Golfsmith features the most up-to-date styles in men’s and women’s golf and tennis apparel, and on and off the field. Catering to young and seasoned players alike, Golfsmith offers the latest in hi-tech fabrics and designs, as well as hard-to-find items.
Custom Clubmaking – The store will showcase Golfsmith’s 40-year heritage in custom clubmaking, which allows golfers to completely customize their own set of clubs. The store features a custom-fit workshop with the latest golf club components from Snake Eyes®, Golfsmith®, Killer Bee®, Spalding®, Adams Golf® and Zebra®. Guests have access to in-store clubmaking classes that cover custom clubmaking, club re-gripping, and clubhead and shaft technology.

Now Serving Tennis

The Raleigh store will be under the Golfsmith Golf & Tennis brand, and will feature a full-service tennis department with a wide assortment of equipment, footwear and apparel. Since fall 2004, Golfsmith has increased the number of golf and tennis stores it operates, with the Raleigh store being the 57th. The tennis stores are complemented by Golfsmith’s “Center Court” tennis catalog and Web site (tennis.golfsmith.com).

“Golfsmith is aiming to be the first national tennis specialty retailer,” said Thompson. “We will offer the best brands at the best prices, all backed by the same expert service we are known for in golf.”

Golfsmith gives guests three ways to shop for their golf and tennis equipment, accessories and apparel: more than 70 existing retail stores; its Internet store at www.golfsmith.com; and its assortment of catalogs. Through each channel, the company delivers an extensive product selection that features premier branded golf and tennis merchandise, as well as proprietary golf products, custom clubmaking and pre-owned clubs.

About Golfsmith

Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOLF) is a 40-year-old specialty retailer of golf and tennis equipment, apparel and accessories. The company operates as an integrated multi-channel retailer, offering its guests the convenience of shopping in more than 70 stores across the United States, through its Internet site and from its assortment of catalogs. Golfsmith offers an extensive product selection that features premier branded merchandise, as well as its proprietary products, clubmaking components and pre-owned clubs.

Cautionary Language

Certain statements made in this news release are forward looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. Important factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Form 10-Q, filed August 15, 2006 and November 7, 2006 and our Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on June 15, 2006 under the caption "Risk Factors."

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